Knowledge, health-promoting behaviors, and biological risks of recurrent stroke among stroke patients in Korea

Abstract

Aim: The study was undertaken to explore stroke knowledge, health-promoting behaviors, and predictors for biological risk profiles of stroke recurrence among stroke patients in Korea. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional descriptive study. Seventy-five stroke patients were recruited from a university medical center. Stroke knowledge, physical functioning, health-promoting life profile (HPLP), and five biological risk factors for stroke recurrence (i.e. systolic and diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, blood glucose, and body mass index) were measured. Results: The results indicated that 70.0% of the patients selected correct answers in most of the knowledge questions. The mean score for HPLP was 3.08±0.45 (range, 1-4). Twenty-seven percent of patients had their five biological risk factors under control. Education level of 9 years or less and duration of stroke diagnosis within a year were predictors for biological risk profiles of stroke recurrence (F=6.94, P<0.01). Conclusion: Stroke patients exhibited appropriate stroke knowledge and performed moderate to high levels of health-promoting behaviors. However, 73.2% of patients had uncontrolled risk factor(s) in one or more of the five biological risk factors for stroke recurrence. Nurses should be aware that stroke patients seeking treatments from clinics and hospitals are still at risk of stroke recurrence. © 2013 Japan Academy of Nursing Science.